Aythya australis

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Family

Anatidae

Genus

Aythya

Species

australis

Common Names

Hardhead, White-eyed Duck, Copperhead, Punkari, White-wing

Distinguishing Features

This averaged sized duck is mostly a dark red-brown colour. They have a white under tail and belly. When the wings are extended, a broad white wing band is prominent from above, and the wholly white underwing, bordered by a dark edge can be seen from below. The bill and webbed feet are grey. The male has a bright white eye, while the female's eye is brown.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

Male: a soft, wheezy whistle. Female: a harsh croaking 'gaaak-gaak-gak'.

Similar Species

The female Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) looks similar from the front, however its dark underparts make the two species easily distintiguisable on closer inspection or in flight.

Distribution

This duck can be found across most of Australia, excluding the most arid regions. It generally follows areas of high rainfall, although it is most common in the central NSW to central VIC area. It has also been recorded in parts of Indonesia, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species has rarely been sighted over the last 25 years, with most records from the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. In regional parts of NSW they have been recognised as a significantly declining species in response to water being pumped out of the natural waterways for irrigation.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

One duck was sighted on the ANU campus.

Associated vegetation community

This species prefers wetland areas with deep, extensive water bodies with plenty of vegetation both under the water and in the water's surrounds.

Limiting Resources

This species is very reliant on thick vegetation surrounding the water's edge, especially for nesting. They are especially drwn to areas with extensive areas of cumbungi (Typha), lignum and tea-tree.

Breeding

The Hardhead usually breeds from October to December, however they are often more likely to breed in response to a local flooding event. The nest is a compact shallow dish of woven reeds and stems, placed about 10-90 cm above the water in very dense vegetation. The nest is lined with down feathers and well hidden under a canopy of reeds. The males take little or no interest in the nesting activities. Females incubate the 9-13 oval and creamy-white eggs for 25-30 days.

Behaviour

This highly social species prefers to spend time in large groups in deep water. The birds are easily disturbed and will usually fly away when approached. They fly with swift and strong wingbeats, making a whirring sound. They dive for food, confidently going deep under the surface for a range of food species.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

The diet of the Hardhead is varied, eating a range of aquatic vegetation and animals. The seeds of sedges (Carex), water-couch (Paspalum), oat-grass (Agrostis) and rice (Oryza) are popular, as are aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans.

Predators

Hardhead chicks are very vulnerable to a variety of hungry predators, including Black Rats (Rattus Rattus), Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae ), Swamp Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) and Purple Swamphens (Porphyrio porphyrio ).

Interesting Fact

The Hardhead is Australia's best 'duck-diver', spending up to one minute under the water in search of food, longer than any other duck species.